No matter how good you are at memorizing facts, that won’t be enough to earn you a CompTIA Security+ certification. The exam is designed to measure how well you can apply your knowledge, which essentially gauges your readiness to take on real-world problems as a cybersecurity professional.
This is why it’s worth investing time and energy in thorough practice. Working through Security+ sample questions and realistic mock tests helps you train your thinking and manage your time as if you’re already taking the actual exam.
As you build your study plan, treating security+ practice questions as a core part of your routine is one of the most effective ways to bridge the gap between theory and real exam performance.
In this guide, you’ll find practice questions similar to what you will encounter during the Security+ exam, along with some practical strategies to get the most value out of every practice session.
Understanding the Security+ Exam Structure
The Security+ certification serves as proof that you have the necessary skills needed to practice cybersecurity, and the exam is structured with this in mind.
Latest exam version and domains
CompTIA regularly updates the Security+ exam objectives to keep pace with the latest developments in cybersecurity. The latest version, SY0-701, was released in 2023 and places greater emphasis on real-world job skills, introducing newer tools, techniques, and security practices that reflect the threats professionals face today.
The exam is structured around five key domains:
- General Security Concepts
- Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations
- Security Architecture
- Security Operations
- Security Program Management and Oversight
It covers up to 90 questions, and you’ll have 90 minutes to finish the test (about a minute per item). To pass, you’ll need a score of 750 out of 900.
Types of questions you'll encounter
The exam uses a mix of multiple-choice, drag-and-drop tasks, and performance-based questions (PBQs).
Multiple-choice items test your knowledge directly, while drag-and-drop questions check your ability to organize or match concepts. PBQs, on the other hand, place you in simulated cybersecurity scenarios where you must apply problem-solving skills.
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Free Security+ Practice Questions
To get you ready for the exam, you need to get comfortable with the different question formats. Familiarize yourself with Security+ sample questions and take them regularly to reinforce your learning.
10 Sample multiple-choice questions covering key domains
These Security+ sample questions mirror the style and content of the exam. Refer to the answer key that follows to check your performance.
- A user reports receiving an email from “IT Support” asking them to log in and reset their password via a suspicious link. What type of attack is this?
a. Phishing
b. Smishing
c. Whaling
d. Tailgating - Which protocol provides secure remote access to a router’s command-line interface?
a. Telnet
b. FTP
c. SSH
d. SNMP - An attacker captures wireless traffic and then uses software to crack the pre-shared key offline. What attack method is this?
a. Evil twin
b. Brute-force
c. Dictionary attack
d. Deauthentication - Which authentication factor is something you have?
a. Password
b. Security token
c. Fingerprint
d. Passphrase - A penetration tester needs to identify open ports on a system without sending packets directly to the target. Which method works?
a. SYN scan
b. Stealth scan
c. Passive reconnaissance
d. Banner grabbing - What is the primary purpose of a digital signature?
a. Encrypt data at rest
b. Verify data integrity and authenticity
c. Hide data from attackers
d. Speed up data transmission - Which backup type only copies files that have changed since the last full backup?
a. Incremental
b. Differential
c. Snapshot
d. Full - A company’s security policy requires that employees only access network shares needed for their job roles. Which principle does this follow?
a. Defense in depth
b. Separation of duties
c. Least privilege
d. Role rotation - Which tool is best for detecting and blocking known malicious websites in real time?
a. IPS
b. Proxy server with URL filtering
c. SIEM
d. Packet sniffer - Which risk response strategy involves purchasing cyber insurance?
a. Mitigation
b. Transfer
c. Acceptance
d. Avoidance
Answer Key:
- A
- C
- C
- B
- C
- B
- B
- C
- B
- B
2 Performance-based question examples
- Match the following security concept or tool to its definition: Honeypot, SIEM, IDS, DLP, WAF, Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Scanner, Disaster Recovery Plan. Not all options will be used.
a. A tool that analyzes network traffic and system logs to detect suspicious activity,
but does not take action to block it.
b. A system designed to appear as a legitimate target to attract and trap attackers.
c. A comprehensive strategy to restore IT infrastructure and operations after a
disruptive event.
d. A proactive security practice where an authorized individual simulates a
cyberattack to find and exploit weaknesses.
e. A solution that monitors and controls data to prevent sensitive information loss. - Drag and drop the correct steps of the Incident Response process into the appropriate order: Containment, Eradication, Preparation, Recovery, Identification, Lessons Learned
PBQ 1 Answer Key:
a. Honeypot → B
b. IDS → A
c. DLP → E
d. Penetration Testing → D
e. Disaster Recovery Plan → C
PBQ 2 Answer Key:
a. Preparation
b. Identification
c. Containment
d. Eradication
e. Recovery
f. Lessons Learned
How to Use Practice Questions Effectively
Practice questions shouldn’t just be used to test what you know. They can also help in refining your skills, helping you uncover blind spots and strengthen your weak areas. Here’s how to use Security+ sample questions the right way:
Incorporating Security+ sample questions into your study plan
Schedule regular practice test sessions throughout your study, and make sure to treat them like real exams. Rotate through different sources to expose yourself to various question formats and difficulty levels. After each session, take time to review the explanations for every question — yes, even the ones you got right. This reinforces your understanding while keeping your confidence in check.
Tracking progress and identifying weak areas
Don’t just score your practice tests and move on. Keep a log of your results, noting which topics or question types give you the most trouble. Use this data to adjust your study plan, dedicating extra time to challenging areas. As you progress, you should ideally be able to see measurable improvement.
Top Resources for Security+ Practice Tests
When preparing for the Security+ exam, practice tests can be extremely beneficial for ensuring that you’re well-prepared for the real deal. To access more Security+ sample questions, you can leverage either free or paid online resources — or strike a healthy balance of both.
Free Online Practice Exams
Free practice tests are widely available and make a great starting point, especially if you have a limited budget. Many of these tests found online mirror the style and difficulty of the actual Security+ exam, helping you gauge how ready you really are.
If you’re not sure where to start, CompTIA itself offers official Security+ sample questions aligned with the latest exam version.
Paid Practice Test Options and Their Benefits
Paid options often provide more in-depth preparation and are typically designed by certification experts. These can include full-length timed exams, detailed answer explanations, progress tracking, and supplemental study guides, with some even offering consultations.
For those seeking structured review, Destination Certification’s self-paced Master Class covers comprehensive practice tests that can give you the extra edge needed to pass the exam.
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Study everything you need to know for the Security+ exam in a 1-week bootcamp!
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to learn more about how Security+ sample questions can help you prepare? Here are answers to some of the most common queries candidates have.
As many as you can! The more you work through practice questions, the better you’ll get at navigating the actual exam, spotting patterns in how questions are framed, and pacing yourself given the time constraint.
Not exactly. Practice questions help you understand the material but won’t match the real exam word-for-word. CompTIA’s official practice tests offer the closest experience, especially for PBQs.
Mix them into your routine regularly. Use CompTIA’s practice environment for PBQs, and review every answer to help strengthen your retention.
Start with the official CompTIA Security+ exam objectives. They’re updated alongside every version of the test, making them the most reliable guide for aligning your study materials.
Conclusion
If you’re serious about getting certified, Security+ sample questions and timed mock tests should be at the heart of your study plan. Not only do they sharpen your recall, but they can also improve your pacing and help you get a better feel of exactly what to expect.
For guided preparation led by cybersecurity experts, check out Destination Certification’s Security+ study resources, built to strengthen your knowledge, skills, and confidence so you can pass on your first attempt. Our self-paced Master Class breaks down complex topics into clear, practical lessons with real-world scenarios and labs, adapting to your experience level so you never feel left behind.
If you prefer something more immersive, consider signing up for our five-day Bootcamp, which provides hands-on training and expert insights to fully prepare you for the exam.
The Security+ certification is an investment in your career, but to maximize it, you need the right preparation tools to guarantee your success. Let us help you with that.
Rob is the driving force behind the success of the Destination Certification CISSP program, leveraging over 15 years of security, privacy, and cloud assurance expertise. As a seasoned leader, he has guided numerous companies through high-profile security breaches and managed the development of multi-year security strategies. With a passion for education, Rob has delivered hundreds of globally acclaimed CCSP, CISSP, and ISACA classes, combining entertaining delivery with profound insights for exam success. You can reach out to Rob on LinkedIn.
John is a major force behind the Destination Certification CISSP program's success, with over 25 years of global cybersecurity experience. He simplifies complex topics, and he utilizes innovative teaching methods that contribute to the program's industry-high exam success rates. As a leading Information Security professional in Canada, John co-authored a bestselling CISSP exam preparation guide and helped develop official CISSP curriculum materials. You can reach out to John on LinkedIn.
